"Aikido Style" Gi supplies other than Bujin

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[aikiphoenix]

It is with great sadness recently that I found out Bujin is up for sale. Hopefully they will return soon but in the meantime I'm needing a gi for training and would very much prefer their "aikido style" gi's with shorter arms.

Does any other supplier make this? Are there any retailers out there that still have the Bujin Design in stock anyone knows of?

Thanks!

[David Maidment]

Nine Circles (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/)

[Michael Hackett]

E-Bogu.com is another worthwhile source, located in California. Good products, great service, fast shipping.

[chillzATL]

E-Bogu.com is another worthwhile source, located in California. Good products, great service, fast shipping.

I picked up one of their hidritex lined gi and it's pretty darn nice. The lining really seems to work and it's a very soft, comfortable, well made gi. The sizing chart is a size off after a few wash cycles though.

[JRY]

I picked up one of their hidritex lined gi and it's pretty darn nice. The lining really seems to work and it's a very soft, comfortable, well made gi. The sizing chart is a size off after a few wash cycles though.

could you please elaborate? been looking at getting one of these for awhile :)
so if i'm a size 5 it will shrink to a size 4 after a few washes?

[JRY]

It is with great sadness recently that I found out Bujin is up for sale. Hopefully they will return soon but in the meantime I'm needing a gi for training and would very much prefer their "aikido style" gi's with shorter arms.

Does any other supplier make this? Are there any retailers out there that still have the Bujin Design in stock anyone knows of?

Thanks!

As already quoted nine circles makes a decent aikido gi, not sure about postage to the states though as they're UK based. just did a google search and they might be coming to the US?

have you had a look at Tozando?

[Rob Watson]

I don't know what an aikido gi is ...

Toraki has some nice stuff (performance version anyway). I like it as they come in 1/2 sizes so a better fit is realized. The full length 'knee' pad reinforcement is a welcome find.

[Michael Hackett]

Several of my friends have purchased the lined E-Bogu gi and most don't seem to care for the lining and have removed it. I've only purchased their "deluxe aikido gi" and it is much heavier. I haven't had any shrinkage problems with it, but the arms and legs are shorter than when new. The body is still fine after many washings with hot water and a hot dryer.

I've been wearing gi with the label "Besu" sewn in. I don't know the manufacturer and haven't been able to find out the source. My Sensei buys them from a friend who imports them from Japan. Pretty pricey (about $250), but they are of superb quality and wear like iron while being as soft as on old cotton tee shirt. My oldest is about five years old now and is starting to show some fraying around the collar from my five o'clock shadow - I'm clean shaven, but have a beard like a wire brush and I don't think even stainless steel would not show wear on my collars. I like these even better than the one Tozando I have and it is great in it's own right.

[RED]

E-Bogu.com is another worthwhile source, located in California. Good products, great service, fast shipping.

Great buy there.
There aikido style hakama is the most comfortable hakama I've ever had. I actually prefer it over bunjin's. But e-bogu don't have women's cut hakama...:(

[chillzATL]

could you please elaborate? been looking at getting one of these for awhile :)
so if i'm a size 5 it will shrink to a size 4 after a few washes?

Going by their sizing chart, I should have gotten a 3, but after reading comments I went with a 4. Out of the box it was probably perfect. Pants came right to the top of my ankle, sleeves to my wrist. Great fit in the waist and chest. After washing the length on both the sleeves, pants and top have shrunk up a good bit. That's not a problem for me, because I prefer short pants and sleeves, but if one were not a fan of that fit, you'd probably want to go two sizes up from their chart. The pants and top fit great otherwise still.

Just try it on when you get it and if it fits the way you want it before it's washed, assume it will shrink up a good bit and keep or return it accordingly.

[JRY]

Going by their sizing chart, I should have gotten a 3, but after reading comments I went with a 4. Out of the box it was probably perfect. Pants came right to the top of my ankle, sleeves to my wrist. Great fit in the waist and chest. After washing the length on both the sleeves, pants and top have shrunk up a good bit. That's not a problem for me, because I prefer short pants and sleeves, but if one were not a fan of that fit, you'd probably want to go two sizes up from their chart. The pants and top fit great otherwise still.

Just try it on when you get it and if it fits the way you want it before it's washed, assume it will shrink up a good bit and keep or return it accordingly.

Thanks for the feedback m8 :D
that's not a problem for me as am actually a fan of shorter sleeves and pants. so I guess in this case I should follow their size chart :)

[Nine Circles USA]

[QUOTE=Jerry Teo;255720]As already quoted nine circles makes a decent aikido gi, not sure about postage to the states though as they're UK based. just did a google search and they might be coming to the US?

You can now get Nine Circles quality clothing and equipment in the USA. Search for for Nine Circles USA and have a look.

[j0nharris]

We've been buying generic judo gis from Daisy (http://myworld.ebay.com/daisy6928) at Ebay for about a year now, & everyone seems happy with them.
Moderately priced, at about $35.00, & have worn well for us.
Advanced/long time students might like something a little higher end, but these are great as group purchases for the dojo.

[bernardkwan]

Okada Budogu is our official supplier here in Hong Kong. They are mainly a kendo supplier, but also have Aikido gi and hakama. Their Gis are not cheap but really soft thick Aikido gis with shorter arms. You can specify a certain amount of customization in your e-mail also.

They use the same OEM supplier in China as Tozando at a fraction of the price. If price were no object I would still go for Iwata in Tokyo but this is a pretty good second choice.

www.okada-budogu.com

They ship to US and Internationally.

[David Yap]

In 17 years of practice, I have gone through 5 sets of dogi plus one still in its wrappers. The one that I use currently and the extra in its wrappers are from Isami (made in Japan) and the dogi are reasonably priced.

http://www.isami.co.jp/hayashi/iteminfo/iteminfo_e.asp

Look for ik-100 model

[Rabih Shanshiry]

Budovideos also offer an aikido style gi under the Kaizen brand. I haven't worn it myself so I can't say how good it is but it's cut specifically for aikidoka:

http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=27733&cat=&page=1

[MBaraz]

Bujin Design is the sine qua non of Aikido gear. They are the best of the best for dogi. Their 12 oz all cotton white duck fabric looks too stiff to be comfortable but (after a couple washes) they are perfect. It has the right sleeve length and the jacket doesn't come come undone even in vigorous randori.

And pants... hasn't anybody else figured out there are these new things called "zippers" (nylon) and another cutting edge technology, "Velcro" along with a nylon webbed belt around the waist? They are the only company who I have found who has discovered these 20th century apparel devices. Has anybody else found a quality but modern dogi... at any price?

[Diane Stevenson]

I MISS BUJIN!!!

Yes, ok my dogi from ebogu is acceptable. But Bujin made a women's cut jacket that actually FIT. I know i'm a minority here, but it's so nice to have something the fits ME well, instead of something that fits a male well and me so-so.

Also ditto on the modern apparel fastenings. Drawstrings *sigh* i live and practice in Arizona. The dojo is 85 to 90 degrees at least in the summer with the ac going full force at night. 'scuse me for being graphic, but unknotting sweat-soaked drawstrings is on my top-ten list of annoying things.

oh, Bujin, will we ever see he likes of you again? :sorry:

[Mikemac]

I can attest to the quality of the E-bogu Aikido gi. It shrank perfectly after one washing, and it feels very sturdy in the collar. I love my gi!:D

[giriasis]

I will miss the Bujin women's aikido gi and hakama, too. Bujin is one of the few (or only) manufacturers that actually included width/girth into their sizing. I have recently gained a lot of weight and their regular XL aikido gi fits me perfectly; however, a regular size 5 gi is to small around not even closing in the front and the regular size 6 gi is way too long everywhere. And even when I was in shape it was impossible to find a gi that actually closed in the front and kept me covered up. Traditional gis would initally fit but then shrink, but Bujin always were true to size.

As far as alternatives to women's gi and pants, I have purchased the women's 8 oz. Middleweight Brushed Cotton dogi and pants from Century Martial Arts. The fabric is nice and soft and the pants have elastic waists. (They have a nylon cord but you can easily pull it out, but it's not nearly as bad as the drawstring dogi pants.) They don't adjust the length for you like Bujin did, but you will find that they fit nice. You could just wear your workout bra underneath and still feel covered up. The sizing chart provided is true to size. The pricing is affordable, too.

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Traditional_Jacket.aspx

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Elastic_Pants.aspx

[Hanna B]

As far as alternatives to women's gi and pants, I have purchased the women's 8 oz. Middleweight Brushed Cotton dogi and pants from Century Martial Arts. The fabric is nice and soft and the pants have elastic waists. (They have a nylon cord but you can easily pull it out, but it's not nearly as bad as the drawstring dogi pants.) They don't adjust the length for you like Bujin did, but you will find that they fit nice. You could just wear your workout bra underneath and still feel covered up. The sizing chart provided is true to size. The pricing is affordable, too.

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Traditional_Jacket.aspx

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Elastic_Pants.aspx

I find the sizing chart a bit confusing. Unisex sizes for a women's dogi, and measurements in weight and height only... how should I think? I'm 163 cm tall/short so that's size 3, "small". But my weight would put me in size 4, or possibly even 5.

In regular clothes stores I nowadays need size XL. But that's European sizes - I've heard that the American sizes differ. I'll possibly buy trousers from Century... and since it's the butt that is the problem I suppose I should go for size 5.

Buying from across the Atlantic not really understanding the sizes is not fun :(

[ninjaqutie]

I find the sizing chart a bit confusing. Unisex sizes for a women's dogi, and measurements in weight and height only... how should I think? I'm 163 cm tall/short so that's size 3, "small". But my weight would put me in size 4, or possibly even 5.

In regular clothes stores I nowadays need size XL. But that's European sizes - I've heard that the American sizes differ. I'll possibly buy trousers from Century... and since it's the butt that is the problem I suppose I should go for size 5.

Buying from across the Atlantic not really understanding the sizes is not fun :(

I have a century catalog and it has sizing just for the women's gi, so I'm not sure what you are talking about. The women's gi's only come in XS, S, M, L and XL. If you give me your inseam, hip, waist and chest in inches (you can pm me) I can easily tell you what size you will be. :)

[Hanna B]

Oh! I am talking about the information on the website. The chart can be found at every dogi page including the womens'. Thanks very much for your offer! I might come back to you.

[OwlMatt]

E-Bogu.com is another worthwhile source, located in California. Good products, great service, fast shipping.

Love these guys. Just bought a bokken and jo from them.

[Shadowfax]

I just bought a pair of gi bottoms from Piranha gear. The sizing chart was very easy to understand. Customer service was awesome, shipping was fast, and the quality of the pants is fantastic. Best fit and most comfortable gi pants I have had so far. Kinda expensive compared to some others but I think well worth it.

Spoke to customer service and they do plan to have a line of women's gi available in the near future.

[Anjisan]

I found this on the Bu Jin site and it certiainly fuels my hope of again obtaining Bu Jin gear-

"Dear loyal Bu Jin® Design customers,

Thank you for staying in touch with us during these past few months of transition!

We are delighted to announce that the Bu Jin® Design products you know and love will be soon be available on our new partner site, AIKIDO24. There will be exciting developments as we update websites and restart production of the Bu Jin® dogi, hakama, wooden training weapons and more. These are underway and will be phased in during the coming weeks and months.

We know you're curious as to what has transpired with Bu Jin® Design. In a nutshell, last spring we fortuitously met up with the owner of a successful European martial arts supply enterprise. It turned out to be uncannily similar to Bu Jin® Design, the most important reason being a near perfect alignment of the owner's personal philosophy and corporate mission statements with our own. What more could we ask?!

A partnership was forged, and now Bu Jin® will become an international supplier of proprietary Bu Jin® Design products, in addition to the many other high quality items offered through the online shops Aikido24, Kendo24 and Iaido24 The product selection available to our regular Bu Jin® Design customers just got a lot larger! Check it out!

It is our great pleasure to introduce our new partner and CEO, Bernd Schwab"

[Shadowfax]

Aikido 24 has a note on their site that says to expect Bujin products to be on their site in the very near future. They do now have a website up for US sales. ;-)

Good news! You’ll soon be seeing some familiar Bu Jin items here!

It will be a little random at first as we get up and running, so we beg your indulgence. Remaining inventory from last year will soon be available – the sizes will be those at the ends of the spectrum, so if you are “extra large-ish” or “extra small-ish”, you may find what you need.

Our priority for new inventory is for ALL sizes of dogi and hakama. These, along with wooden training weapons and weapons cases, will be added in batches in all sizes in the coming weeks and months!

[ninjaqutie]

Aikido 24 has a note on their site that says to expect Bujin products to be on their site in the very near future. They do now have a website up for US sales. ;-)

Yeah, I checked a few weeks ago and saw that! Sounds like bit by bit, more and more stuff will be showing up there!

[Hanna B]

Speaking of Century Martial Arts, their catalog can be downloaded on their website. Women's sizes can be found there.

Ordering from Europe seems terribly complicated, though. I found different information on different parts of the website, send them an email (as it said in one of the places) and didn't get a reply. Eventually I asked a friend in the US to order for me, and bring the stuff here later.

[jennifer paige smith]

I may already have mentioned this, but I've been very happy with the goods I've purchased for myself and my dojo through ebogu.com.

Having said that, I sure have loved my Bujin Jo and Bo over the years and hope to again be able to purchase them for future practice.

[Richard Stevens]

Rodney Uhler and his wife, both Hakuho-Ryu Shihans, are running Nine Circles USA out of Michigan. I've bought a number of items from them and they have all been first-rate. They are super helpful and ship fast.

Also, if anyone has a chance to attend one of their seminars, don't hesitate. Their Itto-Ryu is amazing.

www.ninecirclesusa.com

[gromph]

Very nice aikido gi and hakama here:

http://www.budo-aoi.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=1f0f725ce50ec6b5aa1dbda5d277c4a8

Also for Canucks they are based in Canada!

Oje

[BAP]

I have worn Bujin pants for a few years myself and loved them. When they stopped making them I looked around and the only somewhat similar construction type pants I found were from Sprawl.

These aren't traditional aikido gi pants but they are closest I've found so far.

http://www.sprawl.tv/Welcome-To-Sprawl-Fight-Shorts/GiFlex-MMA-Gi-Pants-White-Black